APB Beta Giveway

[Food Nipple]

Eurogamer (http://gamers.eurogamer.net/giveaways.php?id=87015&claim=true)is handing out APB beta keys, go get one. At the moment there's 6000 left.

[Jeffool]

I was coming to post just this! Here's a bump for folk.

Be warned: The Real Time Worlds email will often end up in your spam/trash folder! It did for my gmail account.

[NoName]

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

[Hotcod]

may as wellllllllllll :) thanks!

[Mike Kelehan]

Grabbed one, although my laptop failed the system test, based only on its CPU. The integrated Intel graphics passed, oddly enough. It's still letting me install, so we'll see what happens.

[Deadend]

It isn't sending me my registration email.

They are having internal communication issues.

[Squidbot]

Grabbed one, although my laptop failed the system test, based only on its CPU. The integrated Intel graphics passed, oddly enough. It's still letting me install, so we'll see what happens.

Likewise. My desktop should be alive again next week though, so even if the game won't run on the laptop, I should get in at some point.

Keen to see how this plays, been looking forwards to it for quite some time. The customization looks brilliant.

[Jeffool]

It isn't sending me my registration email.

They are having internal communication issues.The Real Time Worlds email will often end up in your spam/trash folder! Be warned.

[Mike Kelehan]

The Real Time Worlds email will often end up in your spam/trash folder! Be warned.

Yeah, every email from this process went to my spam folder. Makes sense, since they're sending 10,000 of these in about an hour.

[Rogue_hunter]

4158 keys remain! 72.4 MB install file, then 8 GB download for the actual game.

[Acidpoptart]

Awesome! I usually get to these key give aways too late, but not this time :)

Thanks for the heads up!

[Jackel]

Awesome. got myself a key.

[Klunka]

I'm in! will download when I get home.

[c0m3d14n]

thanks for the heads up, hope it rocks ;)

[BrassGecko]

Oh why not. My cpu also fails, apparently, so I'll see how it goes.

[Lekon]

Got one. Thanks for putting this up Foodnipple!

[Ravenlock]

Nabbed! Looking forward to getting into this. Thanks! :D (Also thanks to Voodoo, who let me know about it elsewhere.)

[Deadend]

Fun fact:
If you close the launcher while it's updating, it has to start over from 0.

[BigJonno]

I hope that the update process leaves something I can easily copy over to the other two PCs this is going to be played on, otherwise I've gotta download 24GB before Sunday.

[Scull]

And they're gone. :(

[CappinCanuck]

Bloody hell that was quick :P

[Wackman3000]

When can you actually play the beta? I can't seem to find the playtimes anywhere. I know I saw it briefly once the installer was finished but I closed it by accident before writing down the days/times.

[Jackel]

I believe the first playtime is sometime this Sunday.

[Ravenlock]

Sunday afternoon starting at 1PM EST, if I did the time conversion in my head correctly. That's when I'm planning to try, anyhow.

[Dukefrukem]

The game sucks. I wouldn't participate in this beta if they paid me.

[Ravenlock]

Trying hard to figure out how you know the game sucks if you haven't played it.

Wait, no, not actually trying very hard.

[Dukefrukem]

Ummm it was at PaxEast.

[Ravenlock]

Did you play it there? I didn't get a chance to. If you did, feel free to tell us what's actually wrong with it rather than just crap on the thread. ;)

[Dukefrukem]

Hmm. Maybe I forgot to post my thoughts in the Google Doc but yeh I played it. For like 30 minutes too.

The game is a cluster fuck. I played as the "Criminals" and you also have the option to play as the "Enforcers". You run around aimlessly, even though there's supposed to be a war going on between the two factions and I could barely read what I was supposed to do on the screen. The Criminals are supposed to do criminal like things, like assassinate someone... but you need to team up with other criminals to do this. You earn money if you're successful. When the criminals attempt something, an APB will be announced for the Enforcers to come and stop you. If they're successful they get money and the Criminals don't. Sounds fun in concept but flawed in real life. No one helps anyone in the game. Cars randomly disappear, trying to run over people results in them jumping on over or on top of the car... the physics in the cars is...well.. there isn't any. Weapons are weak and earning money is a pain in the ass. All the good players who have upgraded weapons sit on top of buildings and snipe all the baddies.

I'm confident this game will bomb.

[Ravenlock]

Hunh. Thanks for letting us know - I'll post impressions on Sunday to see if my experiences match yours. Certainly doesn't sound appealing. :p

[Dukefrukem]

top it off the graphics are something outta 2004. Thats to be expected since it's an... "MMO". I asked the guy how many players were allowed on 1 server.. he gave me some retarded response like: "50,000".

[Hotcod]

from the sound of it it sounds like it will be done with instances rather than prescribed servers

[Spectre-7]

Duke's description does sound remarkably like the gameplay video released a few weeks back. At this point, my own enthusiasm for the game is pretty much dead.

[The Continental]

Anyone still looking for a key, they're giving them away at http://www.fileplay.net/.

[Squidbot]

Suppposed to be a beta test in EU right now. I can create a character but keep getting disconnected when trying to actually enter gameplay.

[Ravenlock]

I was able to get in and I played for about the last hour. Unfortunately the NDA in the beta agreement is pretty tight, but I should be alright saying I didn't dislike the gameplay ideas behind what I played. There are (acknowledged by them) technical issues they're still working out, but I had fun and will check in on it again in the future to see how it's coming along.

[Deadend]

I was able to get in and I played for about the last hour. Unfortunately the NDA in the beta agreement is pretty tight, but I should be alright saying I didn't dislike the gameplay ideas behind what I played. There are (acknowledged by them) technical issues they're still working out, but I had fun and will check in on it again in the future to see how it's coming along.

Character Customization works quite well from my understanding.
I wonder how much of the issues could be due to US players touching a server in the UK.

[Squidbot]

The character customization is brilliant. Sadly that's all I've been able to see. Shortround tells me it's a simplified GTA the MMO.

[The Continental]

The character customization is brilliant. Sadly that's all I've been able to see. Shortround tells me it's a simplified GTA the MMO.Very simplified if the beta is any indicator. After my two hours in the beta session this afternoon I'm wholeheartedly disappointed.

The fact that both the enforcer's and the criminal's missions are completely opposed to one another is definitely a cool concept, but in the execution it's just entirely too simple. Of all the missions I played (approximately 10 or so), every single one was a variation on the same concept. Myself or an opposing criminal has to go to location X and complete some action that requires 30 seconds or so of focus (think opening a chest in WoW) without being interrupted by the other faction. Once X is complete, proceed to the next location of which there are probably 3 to complete within roughly 5 minutes.

It's novel the first few times, particularly if you and your opponent are trading kills and are able to setup ambushes at the target location, and things of the like, but the city is rather uninspired and uninteresting to navigate (this from the people that brought us Crackdown, wtf?!), the game is noticeably laggy even with a decent ping, and most of the combat is either getting rocked by someone with a much bigger gun or two lowbies circle strafing each other trying to put the necessary crap load of rounds into a guy to bring them down.

Driving is pretty much a joke with the lag being what it was (my ping averaged 40-60ms with spikes up to 120ms at times), so it often times proved more fruitful just to run to locations, which luckily is viable since the run speed is rather fast.

In all, I see this having trouble catching on. It plays like a very, very, very trimmed down version of the original Saints Row, and all of the sacrifices necessary to get ~100 people in your instanced "district" just don't seem to be worth it. The additional players don't add to the immersion or the wow factor, it's just random chaos as everyone runs around doing their own respective missions are responding to their own APB's.

The concept still has promise, but I just got too much of a Matrix Online/Anarchy Online vibe from the beta. Not that APB is even remotely like either of those titles, but just the general feeling that this game is going to really do it for some people, and do absolutely nothing for just about everyone else.

As of right now, I'm in the everyone else crowd.

[Deadend]

you sure you were getting 40ms Conti? As the servers are located in the UK. You were probably getting 400 or so.

I'd say.. City of Heroes, in that it has got the NEW best editor ever, and the game concept is cool, it's just a bit light on content. Very light.

[J Arcane]

This all sounds an awful lot like Face of Mankind. Which was the most pointless farce of a "game" I've ever played.

[CappinCanuck]

Duke's description does sound remarkably like the gameplay video released a few weeks back. At this point, my own enthusiasm for the game is pretty much dead.

Exactly. I was terribly excited for APB but the gameplay video just destroyed that enthusiasm.

[The Continental]

you sure you were getting 40ms Conti? As the servers are located in the UK. You were probably getting 400 or so.
I was playing in windowed mode and it has quite a bit of debug info, including your ping in the title frame. I agree that it's incredibly low for a transcontinental ping, but it's the only reference I have to go on.

[Hotcod]

was out all sunday and now there's no information at all about when the next play test for the new beta test will be. I mean it's understandable that there keeping to the core testers for this week while the games been rated but I find it a bit silly for them to have opened the beta up for a day and then shut most people back out for a week with no indication of when we can join in again. Oh and the new beta wave is part of a stess test from what i understand of it so it's no surprise that there was issue with lag while they are shaking down the servers and such.

but ya, i like the idea but from the sound of it it may not be amamzing still i've download 8gb now so I will at lest give it a go before deleting it all

[Squidbot]

Exactly. I was terribly excited for APB but the gameplay video just destroyed that enthusiasm.

Which gameplay video is it that is turning people off?

[BigJonno]

Which gameplay video is it that is turning people off?

It's probably the one with one of the RTW guys talking about the game, while in the background it's being played by someone who doesn't seem to have encountered a mouse and keyboard before, let alone a vidjagayam.

[Squidbot]

Jonno, did you play in yesterday's session? I'm interested to hear your opinion.

[BigJonno]

Jonno, did you play in yesterday's session? I'm interested to hear your opinion.

I did. I can probably say that I don't want to risk being kicked out of the beta because of breaking the NDA.

[Squidbot]

Fair point.

[muddi900]

I still don't understand the appeal of Crackdown. It had a great gameplay mechanic, but no game. It was also trying very hard to be an MMO. I am very surprised it doesn't even work as that.

[Squidbot]

From the interview I read on Eurogamer, it seems to me as ifthey are trying to say it's not really an MMO.

[Klunka]

From the interview I read on Eurogamer, it seems to me as ifthey are trying to say it's not really an MMO.

Guys at PAXEast said no monthly payments. So I'm OK with it not being a true MMO.

[Deadend]

From the interview I read on Eurogamer, it seems to me as ifthey are trying to say it's not really an MMO.

Yeah, that article is making me evaluate it along the Bad Company/Team Fortress axis.

But the shooting is great FOR AN MMO, but not for an action game, Crackdown had much better weapon effects. The graphics are nice, the game has got style, and the music is good, but the core is not up to where it should be. Hopefully launch is still a few months away, as look-n-feel can snap together fast.

As shit, look at Champions Online, they managed to entirely change the game from awesome to tolerable in a single patch! Maybe it can work the other way.

[Squidbot]

That article really intrigued me, especially the part about player created designs as part of the economy.

[Hotcod]

See i'm far far faaaaaaaaaaaar more interested in the thing now I know that they don't plan on monthly fees.

[CappinCanuck]

Which gameplay video is it that is turning people off?

It's probably the one with one of the RTW guys talking about the game, while in the background it's being played by someone who doesn't seem to have encountered a mouse and keyboard before, let alone a vidjagayam.

Bingo! I was hoping APB would have more of a strategy element to it when I heard cops vs robbers. Maybe not strategy but something smart to the missions. But it looks like more of a GTA style actiony third person shooter without much depth. I'll really have to play it to find out more but right now it has somewhat gone off my radar.

[Dukefrukem]

See i'm far far faaaaaaaaaaaar more interested in the thing now I know that they don't plan on monthly fees.

They said that at PaxEast. They say depending on how you play the game, you won't ever have to pay anything... whatever that means. They said they are announcing new info in upcoming weeks.

[CappinCanuck]

They said that at PaxEast. They say depending on how you play the game, you won't ever have to pay anything... whatever that means. They said they are announcing new info in upcoming weeks.

That's very interesting. I'll definitely have to see what the scheme is.

I'm not one for the free-to-play+store titles though. I don't mind paying for quality and I don't have a lot of faith based on previous games on this scheme. I'm hoping APB breaks the mold though. DDO illustrated that you can have quality and free-to-play.

[J Arcane]

All DDO demonstrates is that you get what you pay for. The game's been out for like 5 years, and no one even played it until it went free because it really just wasn't worth the money.

If anything, all these free-to-play games have cemented my sense that I'd rather have the monthly fee, if it means I get better content updates and no pointless microtransactions to deal with.

Every F2P game I've played so far stood out as nothing so much as just being a game I wouldn't even play if it wasn't free.

[Squidbot]

Interesting. Its sounds as if they are going to have some form of "micro transactions" system, similar to games like Allods, or the EQ2 Station cash system. Nothing game breaking, just cosmetic stuff.

[Squidbot]

As Bigjonno made me aware, there is a week long Sharpshooters test group this week. Woo!

[GigaFuzz]

As Bigjonno made me aware, there is a week long Sharpshooters test group this week. Woo!

Cheers for the heads up. I saw those times, but I blanked it out thinking it was for one of the other groups. I keep forgetting which is which. :)

[Hotcod]

soooooooo after managing to get on for the first time since i got the beta I'm now being disconnected half the time I try and start the game and the other half I get kicked by punkbuster... i've spent far to much time trying to get it to work and ya, screw it

[Squidbot]

The punkbuster thing is a known issue, mentioned on the launcher.

[Hotcod]

Ya I tried everything that has been suggested on the forum but no luck and the last hot fix was meant to have fixed it so until both issues are sorted I really can't be bothered with it

[Dukefrukem]

I'ts a crappy EA IP. Just let it go. Remember a few years ago when EA said they were gonna start investing in new IPs? 1 for 37 aint so bad (Dead Space).

[Hotcod]

Well managed to get it working, still takes two tries to log in but I don't get kicked when i do. Mix of firewall, avg setting and turning the down UAC among other things. It was more out of a "i've got to get it working now after all this effort" than any real want to play it but so far I'm glad I did. Only just past the tuts but I've enjoyed what i've played so far even if there are some problems

[Squidbot]

It definitely has issues, particularly with stability, but the core gameplay is a lot of fun for me.

[Hotcod]

got it running a little better but dear god they need to rethink the way they are streaming the world... I'm loving the game but it's highly frustrating to die because of load lag

[Squidbot]

Change district instance. Seems to smooth things out a bit for me, but I totally know what you mean. High speed car chase.....lag....wall....dead.

[CappinCanuck]

So, how are you people liking it? Sounds like most are pleased with it. Better than the gameplay trailer made it look?

[Hotcod]

I like it, in fact I wouldn't be nearly as frustrated with it's problems if I didn't. I think so long as you have the right mindset.... this is an open world objective based team shooter not an mmo even if it has rpg trappings, think mw2 more than wow... you will find lots of enjoy. It's more the technical issues and the longevity that I'm worried about. That said 50 hours in the box and a way to pay none monthly? I'm pretty much sold.

[GigaFuzz]

So, how are you people liking it? Sounds like most are pleased with it. Better than the gameplay trailer made it look?

Great fun, when it's working well. Especially in a group with real friends. I've been playing with my flatmate, and the game has been full of awesome little 'moments' of action, though his experience has been dampened by some performance issues.

[CappinCanuck]

I like it, in fact I wouldn't be nearly as frustrated with it's problems if I didn't. I think so long as you have the right mindset.... this is an open world objective based team shooter not an mmo even if it has rpg trappings, think mw2 more than wow... you will find lots of enjoy. It's more the technical issues and the longevity that I'm worried about. That said 50 hours in the box and a way to pay none monthly? I'm pretty much sold.

Great fun, when it's working well. Especially in a group with real friends. I've been playing with my flatmate, and the game has been full of awesome little 'moments' of action, though his experience has been dampened by some performance issues.

Yeah, technical issues I'm not too worried about. They're pretty much a given for any MMO beta plus a bit into their launch. That's a shame, now I'm kind of sad I didn't get in on the giveaway :D. I was all set to let this title go right by without a second thought.

[Deadend]

I am hoping for the NDA to drop soon, I'd like to hear what people really think.

As it's got no headshots, but characters move slow enough were keeping the crosshairs on somewhere is easy, and no real cover mechanics, so it seems combat is decided by pure DPS/first to shoot. I also think that the first 2 upgrade guns, the SMG sucks as the sniper rifle does tons more damage per shot and it's only limit is how fast you can click.. which means the SMG is utterly worthless.

Too bad, as the character editor looks awesome, if only it was for a great game.

[Hotcod]

How long ago did you last play? or last had some real impressions from some one who had?

[Squidbot]

Without breaking the NDA, I'll just say I am definitely going to buy the game at launch.

[CappinCanuck]

Thx for the input Squid! I've seen a few giveaways for it lately, I'm sure I can find a key now that I'll be actively looking.

[Squidbot]

Once the NDA lifts I have a ton of stuff to share.

[BigJonno]

I am hoping for the NDA to drop soon, I'd like to hear what people really think.

As it's got no headshots, but characters move slow enough were keeping the crosshairs on somewhere is easy, and no real cover mechanics, so it seems combat is decided by pure DPS/first to shoot. I also think that the first 2 upgrade guns, the SMG sucks as the sniper rifle does tons more damage per shot and it's only limit is how fast you can click.. which means the SMG is utterly worthless.

Too bad, as the character editor looks awesome, if only it was for a great game.

This makes me laugh. Am I the only person who ever stood behind things or ducked in games before Gears of War came out? You do not need a magic "hump the wall" button to take cover from gunfire.

[Squidbot]

APB also has a lean option, which works really well when you're in cover.

[Deadend]

This makes me laugh. Am I the only person who ever stood behind things or ducked in games before Gears of War came out? You do not need a magic "hump the wall" button to take cover from gunfire.

Before Gears using cover meant staring at a wall texture.

APB doesn't really have much in the way of cover usage as it's matchmaking system likes to make me run across the map when the other team seems to be already at the location they have to capture. Thus, shitty matchmaking. So how can I get to cover when I can't get to anywhere I need to be? Then there is the lag.

Horrible fucking lag.

I've never played a game with worse lag.

Oh and on it's merits of a shooter? It's shit.

The engine is crap as no matter what I set things to, it chugs on looking, aiming, firing, getting hit, everything. I drop it to minimum, it runs the same as High settings. I have a pretty good PC still too, so don't go blaming me.

I don't know what you see in the game, as I tried to love it, but it kept being shitty.

[Squidbot]

Before Rogue Trooper using cover meant staring at a wall texture.

Fixed that.

[Deadend]

Fixed that.

It only really caught on with Gears of War showing that cover mechanics can be great compared to the "traditional" way.

I also really wish that Realtime did have a coverslide button, as it would look quite nice and wouldn't hurt the game at all. I also wish it had locational damage and the auto-aim system from Crackdown where getting a headshot was a matter of holding still while your target was holding still. It also still had manual aiming for those with skill, but the auto-aim was cool.

I also think the accuracy on the first sniper-ish rifle you can get, the one with 15 round mag? It needs to be gimped, or the refire rate lowered, as it still is able to be fired extremely fast, with very high accuracy and damage. It even has pretty good accuracy while running around and at close range, I also kind of doubt it will be nerfed. It's only "weakness" is that it has a 15 round magazine, which means that you can only kill 3 or 4 guys before reloading if you don't miss.

[Dukefrukem]

Well looks like SOME good news is coming out for this game. It's coming to steam (http://store.steampowered.com/app/57500/).

[Squidbot]

That's great news.

[Squidbot]

Based on my experiences in beta, I have pre-ordered.

[Dukefrukem]

Hope you enjoy playing alone ;)

[Squidbot]

Considering the amount of groups I get into in beta, and the number of friends that have also pre-ordered, I think I'll be fine. Thanks for your concern.

[Panthera]

Fixed that.

I think you meant to put Winback in there.